Farm water quality event set for western Minnesota

BARNESVILLE, Minn. — Farmers in the Whiskey Creek area of western Minnesota are being invited to learn more about how they can help clean up the region's lakes and streams.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Buffalo-Red River Watershed District are holding an open house in Barnesville starting at 9:30 a.m. Friday on how farmers can get involved in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program.

It's a voluntary program to encourage adoption of on-farm conservation practices that reduce water pollution. Producers who sign up and maintain approved farm management practices get guarantees that they won't face stricter regulations for 10 years.

The Whiskey Creek area was selected as one of four watersheds across the state to test the program. This pilot area includes parts of Wilkin and Otter Tail counties.